On July 1, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the INVEST in America Act with bipartisan support. The wide-ranging bill addressed urgent infrastructure needs, including USGBC priorities like $100 billion for school building repairs, ambitious federal energy and water efficiency goals, and a low-income housing tax credit expansion. In addition, another key provision was added as an amendment: the HOPE for HOMES Act.
HOPE for HOMES has also been introduced as a stand-alone bill in each chamber—H.R. 7325 by Reps. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and David McKinley, R-W.Va., and S. 4052 by Sens. Chris Van Hollen, D-Mass., Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Chris Coons, D-Del. The bill consists of two main provisions: training grants for energy efficiency contractors and new incentives for homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements.
HOPE for HOMES would authorize $6 billion over the next six years to create a Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program. Under the program, homeowners would receive rebates for a host of home improvements, including $800 for home insulation upgrades and $1,500 for improved insulation paired with HVAC system replacements. The bill also offers $2,000 for retrofits that save 20–40% of whole-house energy use, or $4,000 for retrofits that save at least 40% of whole-house energy use. Larger rebates would be available for lower-income program participants. See: https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/116/s4052
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